Solicitors and barristers (was Re: June's OT Board Dictionary Launched

[junediamanti]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Tim Regan" 
<tim_regan82 at h...> wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
> > 
> Here's how the OED distinguishes them. I think the up-shot is that 
a 
> solicitor has not been "called to the bar" and so cannot be an 
> advocate in the superior courts of law (I think that's what we 
call 
> the high court). Solicitor first:
> 
> One properly qualified and formally admitted to practise as a law-
> agent in any court; formerly, one practising in a court of equity, 
> as distinguished from an attorney.
>   The rise of solicitors as a class of legal practitioners, and 
the 
> gradual recognition and definition of their status, are 
illustrated 
> by the first group of quotations.
> 
> Now barrister:
> 
> A student of the law, who, having been called to the bar, has the 
> privilege of practising as advocate in the superior courts of law. 
> The formal title is barrister-at-law; the equivalent designation 
in 
> Scotland is advocate.
>   The name originated in the ancient internal arrangements of the 
> Inns of Court: see quot. 1545 infra, and BAR n. 24. But by 1600, 
it 
> was currently associated with the bar of the courts of justice, at 
> which utter-barristers had before that date secured the right to 
> plead, formerly possessed only by sergeants and apprentices-at-law.
> 
> There, clear as mud.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Dumbledad.

Lets make it simpler:

Barristers talk more in court.

Barristers wear the wig and gown - solicitors just wear normal 
clothing.

Barristers can become Queen's Counsels and then progress to being 
judges.

In the UK when you need a lawyer - you start with a Solicitor who 
may feel the need to engage a barrister on your behalf.

June